Chapter 14: Truth Untold

To Ciara's surprise and complete confusion, the Allfather had decided that there wouldn't be a punishment for their treason. Sif, Fandral and Volstagg, who'd been arrested and imprisoned after their escape to the Dark World, had even been freed and allowed to continue their world ensuring peace through the Nine Realms. Peace that had once again been disrupted, as panic and fear had spread with the Alignment and the darkness that they'd all seen trying to climb through the portals.

"You sure it was okay for them to go without you, Big Guy?" Ciara asked as she stood with Thor, looking out at the Bifrost in the distance. It was beginning to spin, working its way up to create a gateway to the Dark World.

"They will be fine," Thor said confidently, not even blinking as the rainbow light flashed, taking the three warriors to the Dark World. "They will be able to retrieve the Aether without trouble," he said, thinking about Odin's decision to send the three to collect the Aether from where Malekith's body had been dropped by Jane.

"I suppose it's better that they collect it now, before someone else stumbles across it," Ciara considered with a faint smile. "But one thing. It can't be kept here," she said, and Thor's eyebrow rose. He chuckled, leaning on the railings beside her and studied her. She was back in Asgardian clothes, wearing a pretty blue dress with long sleeves that hid her hands. With her silver hair having grown out since her initial arrival on Asgard, she was almost pretty, even with the bruises that were finally starting to stop swelling to return to normal.

"You finally accept that you're a Guardian, and you're already barking orders," he teased. Ciara punched his arm, but he barely felt it. Ciara on the other hand, felt it as it jolted her bruised and battered arm. She hissed a curse, and saw Thor's grin widen.

"Look," she sighed, turning back to watch as the light of the Bifrost faded. "The Infinity Stones were scattered for a reason. There are people who want them, just like Malekith, and something tells me keeping more than one on Asgard will be a beacon that you do not want," she warned, thinking about Thor's words to Fury about the Tesseract. That experimenting on it was a warning to the rest of the universe that they were ready for a higher form of war.

"Your wisdom is great," Ciara shot him a glare, all too aware of the mockery behind it. But she wasn't entirely surprised. After all, she'd fought it for months, refusing to accept that she was a Guardian. But then it had snuck up on her, and now she couldn't deny it. "I have been thinking exactly the same thing," Thor admitted, and Ciara's glare lessened. "I've already spoken with my father about it, and he agrees," he added.

"Wow. The Allfather really has become generous the last few days," Ciara drawled.

"And that generosity is what allows you to stay on Asgard to continue training with your powers over the Tesseract," Thor reminded her patiently. Ciara just shrugged. She'd already been thinking that things would have been easier if he'd banished her.

"But where can we leave it? Since Malekith's dead, we're back to not knowing its Guardian. I don't know if the title is something that's passed to someone born around his death, or just another random person in the universe, but either way, we have no way to track them down," Ciara pointed out. 'I really need to find somewhere to learn all this shit. I'm tired of being clueless,' she grumbled as Thor nodded to her words.

"There's a place, far from here. The Allfather has suggested there to house it in the meantime, at least until we can find another place that would be more secure," he said, and Ciara gave a snort.

"Wow, you and Odin really have thought of everything. Don't know why I bothered, it's nothing to do with me," she groaned, standing up straight and stretching. "Speaking of things that have nothing to do with me…" Ciara turned back to Thor, hands behind her back. He looked around at her curiously. "What are you going to do now? Stay here; jumping between worlds to maintain the peace as the Crown Prince of Asgard, or go back to Jane?" she asked, and Thor turned away again, staring out over his kingdom.

"I made Jane a promise that I would return to her. And I have no intention of breaking that vow, or taking so long to return to her this time," he said confidently, but then his shoulders slumped. "I just have to break the news to my father," Thor sighed, reluctant to approach him.

"It's only been two days since we came back here," Ciara patted his arm sympathetically. "You'll be fine. And like I said, the Allfather has been very generous since you beat Malekith. I'm sure he'll hear you out," the corners of Thor's mouth tugged up in a faint smile.

"You truly have changed, Ciara Ellis," he told her, and Ciara tilted her head, confused by his words. "I don't believe you would have said the same when we first met," Thor considered, and Ciara went red, rolling her eyes.

"I haven't changed that much," she muttered, embarrassed by his words. "But I like Jane, and you've kind of saved my ass a few times over the last few days. Least I can do is stick my nose in where it doesn't belong and encourage you to tell the Allfather to stuff his crown and go be with a woman who could most definitely kick your ass," Ciara told him, and Thor laughed at her words.

"Well, what about you?" he asked, finally turning to her properly. "Have you decided if you wish to stay on Asgard?" Thor asked her, and Ciara's smile faded.

"Once I can jump between worlds, I'm going to go back to Earth," she said softly, walking back over to look out across Asgard again. She remembered standing there once before, talking to Frigga. Sadness welled up at the thought of the woman. "I said it before, but I don't think I really meant it until now. I don't really belong here, and by now SHIELD will know that I've been here this whole time. Maybe I have changed, because I guess I don't really want to have them hassling you about harbouring a fugitive," Ciara rubbed the back of her neck as she spoke. Thor watched her, seeing the sadness in her expression.

"We are doing no such thing," he said, so seriously that it seemed to startle Ciara. "You're a Guardian of the Space Stone. That's more important than the rules of any one realm. Since you command the powers of Space now, well, there's very little we can do to stop you. Especially when you're able to use that power to move between worlds," Thor pointed out. Ciara was quiet for a moment, before turning away.

"You know, Big Guy, in some other timeline, we probably could have been friends," she told him, which brought a smile to his face.

"I think that means that in this timeline, we are friends," Thor told her.

"Friends with a wanted criminal? What would the other Avengers think?" Ciara gave a mocking gasp, which just made him chuckle.

"I suppose something along the same lines of why I decided to have Loki help us with Malekith," Thor considered, and both of them sobered slightly at the mention of his brother.

"He really did help, huh?" Ciara's smile was wry, and so was Thor's.

"That he did," Thor nodded. He then sighed, and straightened again. "Well, I suppose there is no point in delaying any longer. I suppose I should have words with my father," he decided.

"Good luck, Big Guy," Ciara called over her shoulder, and he clapped a hand to her shoulder before leaving quietly. As soon as he did, Ciara sank to the ground with a groan, putting a hand to her shoulder. "He really needs to remember that I am not built like a goddamn wall," she moaned as the pain throbbed through her shoulder. She then laughed, leaning forwards so her forehead pressed against the cold railing. "I suppose I should have said that I was looking forward to abusing this new power to mess with SHIELD even more, huh?" Ciara wondered aloud, her smile twisting into a smirk. She doubted Thor would be so convinced that she'd changed, if she'd mentioned that.

Ciara didn't move from her perch on the railings, looking out over Asgard as time ticked by. Far above the rest of the buildings, she could see people in the distance continuing about their days, working hard to restore Asgard to how it had been before.

Her legs were slung over the railing, gently moving in the breeze, as Ciara wondered just how things went with Thor and Odin. Part of her did hope that it went well for Thor. She meant what she'd said; she liked Jane, and she didn't want to see her upset again, like the last time Thor had left to deal with things on Asgard.

"Bah, I'm such a sap," she shook her head, running her fingers down her face. Pain hummed under the skin where she pressed down idly. When she realised she was doing it, Ciara scowled and pulled her hands away, glaring at them as if they'd had a mind of their own. She then scratched at her side, which stung a little as the burn healed slowly, and then returned her focus to the view.

She'd meant what she'd said to Thor. As soon as she knew how to jump between worlds and didn't have to rely on the Bifrost like everyone else, she was gone. There didn't seem to be any reason to stay, even if the people were starting to tolerate her. Ciara almost snorted at that thought. Finally there were people who weren't immediately assuming that she was going to start trouble, and she wanted to leave. "I really am messed up," she declared to the open space in front of her.

"Do you not have training to be complaining about?" Ciara closed her eyes at the voice behind her.

"And here I was thinking I was having a peaceful minute," she complained to herself, not turning as she heard Odin walking towards her. "I thought your order that I wasn't allowed around you would last longer," she added. Below, Ciara's gaze was drawn to Thor as he flew through the air towards the Bifrost. "Done with your family bonding moment already?" she asked, and frowned when Odin didn't speak. Ciara rolled her eyes. "Well, as thrilling as this chat has been-" Ciara swung her legs back around to stand and leave, but as she stood and made to give Odin a defiant glare, she froze.

For a moment, Ciara stared at him, rooted to the spot. Her heart thumped against her chest, as she seemed to go through multiple emotions in very short succession, even for her. Finally, she blinked, testing herself to make sure that she wasn't seeing things, but when she opened her eyes again, nothing was different.

The Allfather was blurry.

"Ah, finally. A moment of peace from your constant comments. Perhaps-"

"You son of a bitch!" Ciara cut him off, her words so loud they echoed. Her anger almost blinded her, and part of her just wanted to leave, certain that she was imagining things. At least if she was, Odin would kick her off Asgard for exploding at him. "Of all the - I don't - I'm - dammit!" Ciara cursed, and he looked amused as she struggled to try and say anything. Finally she took a deep breath, glaring at him so angrily he thought she was going to hit him. "Drop it," Ciara finally found the words as her heart pounded so hard she was sure that it was about to break out of her chest. His head tilted as an innocent look crossed the Allfather's face. It didn't suit him at all.

"I don't-"

"I said drop the goddamn illusion, Loki," Ciara hissed.

Odin was quiet for a moment, seeming to dwell on her words, before he chuckled. Green lights shimmered across him, and the illusion faded to reveal Loki smirking at her, thoroughly entertained by her reaction.

"You humans truly are such emotional creatures," he taunted. "I-" his words were cut off in shock when Ciara suddenly slammed into him, her arms going around his neck as he took a step back from the force. For a moment he thought she was actually trying to attack him, before realising that she was hugging him.

"I hate you, so much," Ciara's declaration was quiet and shaking. Somewhat confused, Loki found his arms around her waist before he realised it, finding the embrace comforting. Her reaction wasn't what he expected at all, and now he was the one who was silenced by her reaction.

After a long moment, Ciara realised what she was doing and immediately pulled away, out of his embrace and turning away. Loki's eyebrow quirked, and his head tilted very slightly. "I suppose this explains why I wasn't allowed to hang out in you and Thor's little meeting," she shrugged, refusing to look at him as she struggled to keep her voice casual. Loki didn't respond, frowning as he took a step towards her.

"Are you...crying?" he asked, even more confused now. Ciara whirled around, and he saw the tears in her eyes that she was struggling to fight back.

"I thought you were dead, you colossal jackass!" she snapped, furious with him.

"It wouldn't be the first time people assumed that," Loki shrugged, nonchalant about faking his own death.

"I can't believe you call me infuriating," Ciara threw her arms up and turned again, pacing. She hadn't meant to explode at him. Her brain had been shouting at her to keep it contained, act like nothing was wrong, and then explode later on. But the moment she'd realised, she'd snapped. "You faked your own death, and now you're showing yourself to me? You could have banished me, told me to shove off back to Earth, and I'd never have known," Ciara whirled around, confusion and anger in her expression.

"You're angry at me?" Loki was growing more and more confused by her reaction by the passing second. "For telling you that I'm still alive?" he asked, and Ciara groaned, running her hands through her hair.

"No, of course not!" she exclaimed, and he couldn't sense any lies, which made her anger even more nonsensical. It was starting to annoy him, not being able to understand her reaction. Both the anger, and the hug.

"Then why?" Loki demanded, taking a step towards her. Ciara stood her ground, lifting her head as he stood a full head taller than her. "Why are you so angry?" he asked her.

"I thought you were dead, Loki!" the tears finally broke free and ran down her face, and his own anger faded. "Dammit," Ciara immediately wiped them away. "And now you're not. And I have to wrap my head around the fact that you're not only dead, but masquerading as Odin," she took a breath, and looked up at him. After another moment, she started to laugh, not sure what else she could do.

"You truly are the most confusing creature I've ever met," Loki declared, a faint smile crossing his face.

"Well, yeah," Ciara shrugged as if this were obvious. "Shit, I need to hit something," she complained, and his smile grew.

"Preferably not a wall, this time," his words were teasing and made Ciara blush as she remembered their last conversation. His eyes then settled on the bruises around her face, and he sighed. "You mortals, so easily broken," his words reminded Ciara of another moment, when he'd healed her shoulder, before his hand was on her face. She went still, staring up at him with big eyes as his magic rushed through her, healing the bruises and cuts across her face. The constant, dull pain and haze that came with it finally vanished, and Ciara blinked several times, as if she was finally able to think clearly again.

"Thank you," she murmured, and he kept watching her, not lowering his hand. It was cold against her temple, and Ciara had to fight the impulse to reach up and take it. However, she didn't pull away, and he didn't move it either, both oddly quiet for a moment where neither were sure what to say or do. 'Just back away. Tell him to let go. Threaten him like you would Fandral when that idiot touches you. Just stop standing there like a starry-eyed kid and do something,' Ciara told herself furiously. "Loki?" she finally addressed him, noticing his quiet just as much as he noticed hers.

"Yes?" he asked, just as unsure of why he hadn't moved away. Ciara's eyebrow rose in that defiant expression he'd seen from her so many times now.

"Either kiss me, or let me go," when Loki's eyebrows shot up, his expression turning alarmed, Ciara realised what she'd said. 'Goddammit Ellis. You better hope we find a nice ruin to live in when we get to the Dark World,' she screamed at herself, her face heating up at what she'd just said. 'Fucking idiot. He's an Asgardian who just stole a throne and tried to kill you, and you tell him to kiss you. He's never even given the slightest indication that he can tolerate you, let alone want to do anything else,' Ciara's thoughts were self-deprecating and scolding.

Except, he had. He never truly chased her away when she would visit him. He answered her questions. He asked his own questions about her. He'd put up with her presence on so many occasions. And then there was the moment on the skiff in the Dark World. And those were the thoughts that had caused Ciara's slip.

'I wonder if I could just blip out over to the Dark World right now. Would be a good test to see if I'm strong enough to jump worlds. Anything to get out of this-'

Those thoughts were silenced, as were any kind of coherent thoughts, as Loki's mouth was suddenly on hers, kissing her hard just like she'd requested. Ciara surged forwards, not giving herself time to think as Loki's free hand pulled her against him, meeting each other in kiss after kiss that then deepened as Ciara's fingers curled against the coarse leather of his coat, trying to pull him even closer. A moment later, Ciara found her back against the cold brick wall nearby, as Loki pushed her back and continued to kiss her, spurred on by the quiet gasp that escaped her.

Finally he pulled away, and neither spoke, breathless from the intense kiss as he kept her in place, one hand still on her face as Ciara's dug into his coat so tightly it hurt her fingers, standing on her tip-toes to gain some height on the much taller man.

"Just giving you what you asked for," he whispered, not entirely sure that he knew what he'd just done. Ciara's demand had caught him off guard, and his first - panicked - thought was to try and wipe her mind and send her back to Earth. But then he'd given in, unable to deny that he was drawn to her.

"You...I…" Ciara closed her eyes as she struggled to try and think. Her mind was fuzzy, and she wasn't entirely sure that had just happened. She was no stranger to kissing, but that had been the most heated kiss of her life, and for once her mind wasn't racing.

"Another way to shut you up. Fascinating," Loki's teasing made her eyes open quickly, and she looked up at him with a scowl that was marred by how red her face was.

"Tease me all you want, but you just kissed a mortal," Ciara pointed out, the faintest flicker of a smirk on her face. Loki watched it for a moment, before deciding that there was only one way to get rid of it. He leaned in close again and kissed her again, softer than the first, and Ciara's breath was a gentle sigh against his mouth as she pushed up to meet him, releasing her grip on his jacket to slide her hands up, brushing his neck.

"It seems the only way to shut you up longer than a few seconds," he breathed as he pulled away. Ciara followed him, eyes hooded as she pulled him down into a third kiss. It was intoxicating, kissing Loki as he pinned her to the wall, and she didn't want to stop. Especially as a fear remained in the back of her head that when she did stop kissing him, it'd be over and she wouldn't get another chance to kiss him again.

When she reluctantly pulled back, she saw the gentle amusement in his expression and it made her heart stutter. Such an oddly soft expression from the man who she'd been antagonising for over a year. It made Ciara's mind stop again, and she wasn't sure what to say. His hands were cold, and there was an oddly familiar sensation about it.

"Your hands are cold," the words slipped free with as little thought as before, and when Loki tried to pull his hand back, Ciara caught it quickly. Finally her brain kicked in, and she looked up at him as he looked startled. "You bastard. You were the one who knocked me out, weren't you?" she accused as the memory finally returned, of the hand around her mouth and the pain that followed.

"You can see through my illusions, however it works," Loki defended, not looking the least bit guilty. "I had to cover myself. You're a terrible liar," he told her, and Ciara gave a derisive laugh. "Besides, I healed you," Loki defended, poking her temple with a long digit.

"You hit me with a rock, dammit. Couldn't you use magic?" Ciara complained.

"It had to look realistic," Loki countered, and despite it, Ciara couldn't help but laugh, exasperated but not really surprised. She then looked up again, meeting his gaze.

"Why did you show me that it's you?" Ciara asked, her hands soft against his skin.

"I wasn't sure if I was going to," Loki admitted. He wasn't sure about a lot of things, when it came to the scrawny mortal currently between him and the wall. "I heard you speaking with my brother. About leaving Asgard," he said quietly, and Ciara's mouth lifted in a smile of disbelief.

"And you wanted me to stay?" she asked, unsure if she was guessing correctly. But judging from his own blush, she'd hit the nail on the head.

"Of everyone in this realm, for some reason, you were the only person who crossed my mind. Probably because you've had this annoying habit of showing up even when I don't plan on it," he added, thinking back to when they'd met, when she'd stood over him and laughed as he struggled to lift Mjolnir, and when he'd found her spying when he'd arrived on Earth to get the Tesseract. Ciara was always there, and he still didn't entirely understand what it was that he felt for her.

"Wow Loki, you're softer than I thought," Ciara teased. Immediately the soft look was gone, replaced by a challenging look that Ciara knew much better, from all the times she teased him before.

"And the reason you didn't want to stay?" he challenged her, staring hard as he waited for her to back down. He wasn't even sure if she was right. Ciara's teasing grin faded.

"I...I didn't really have anyone on Asgard. I never let anyone in. Except you, in some twisted way, and I liked that," Ciara admitted. "So the idea of being here without you, it seemed...boring," she confessed.

"Well, it's going to be far from that," Loki smirked, and Ciara grinned up at him as her eyes lit up. She'd been overwhelmed by his big revelation, that he wasn't dead, but now she had a minute to consider it.

Loki was masquerading as Odin, which meant the Allfather wasn't around anymore.

Things just got a lot more interesting on Asgard.

"I haven't said this recently enough," Ciara murmured, drawing herself up as her focus went to his lips. "But this is going to be fun," she declared, pulling Loki down into another kiss as he didn't argue.